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Ralph Snyderman Oral History Interviews, 1990-2019

Dr. Ralph Snyderman, MD, is Chancellor Emeritus of Duke University, James B. Duke Professor of Medicine, and Director of the Duke Center for Research on Personalized Health Care. This collection contains 8 oral history interviews. The interviews conducted on December 14, 1990; March 23, 1993; April 22, 1994; and April 28, 1995 were done by Dr. James Gifford. The April 28, 1995 interview is included in the Dr. David Sabiston Oral History Project. The interviews conducted on March 6, 2003; December 16, 2003; January 16, 2004; and February 23, 2004 were done by Walter E. Campbell for the book "Foundations for Excellence: 75 Years of Duke Medicine". The interview contacted on July 22, 2019 by Dr. Justin Barr is part of the Dr. David Sabiston Oral History Project. In the interviews, Snyderman discusses his life leading up to the time he spent at the National Institutes of Health, his time at Genentech, accepting the chancellor position at Duke, Duke Medical Center's 75th anniversary, his tenure as chancellor, his background, and his memories of Sabiston.
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Interview, April 28, 1995

This oral history interview was conducted with Dr. Ralph Snyderman on April 28, 1995 by Dr. James Gifford. It is included in the Dr. David Sabiston Oral History Project.

Duration: 00:18:00

During the interview, Snyderman discusses the Department of Surgery at Duke and why it is a strong department; Dr. David C. Sabiston and his high expectations; comparisons and differences between Sabiston and Dr. Eugene Stead; research in the Department of Surgery and the importance of research; Sabiston's conception of what surgery is; Sabiston's ability to recruit people and secure funding; his belief that during his time, Sabiston ran the strongest academic department in the country; and Sabiston's leadership style. Includes 1 master audiocassette tape and 1 transcript.

    Interview, July 22, 2019

    This oral history interview was conducted with Dr. Ralph Snyderman on July 22, 2019 by Dr. Justin Barr as part of the Dr. David Sabiston Oral History Project.

    Duration: 00:56:09

    During the interview, Snyderman discusses his early life; decision to become a doctor; education; how he came to Duke for his residency; leaving Duke to fulfill his service obligation during the Vietnam War at the National Institute of Health; his career at Duke as a physician scientist; leaving Duke for Genentech, an emerging leader in the field of biotechnology; coming back to Duke as chancellor at the urging of his friend, Robert Lefkowitz, who was on the search committee; working as chancellor and moving to a higher position than the department heads he worked for as a resident and faculty member; the Department of Medicine and the Department of Surgery's influence over the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC); changes implemented at the PDC; changes implemented at the medical center to incorporate a referral system; the Department of Community and Family Medicine (now Duke Family Medicine and Community Health); working with Sabiston on the Department of Surgery's budget; Snyderman's working relationship with Sabiston as one that was respectful, honest, and engaging; memories of the Sabiston's Christmas parties; the strengths Sabiston brought to the Department of Surgery; Walter E. Campbell's book "Foundations for Excellence" written to celebrate to 75th anniversary of the medical center; experiences with Drs. Robert Lefkowitz, Joseph Greenfield, William Anlyan, and E. Harvey Estes; remaining in contact with Sabiston after retirement and as his health declined; and other memories of Sabiston. Digital files include transcript (DOCX), interview (WAV), consent form (PDF), and consent form addendum (DOCX).